FIU falls to FGCU

8/24/08

The FIU women's soccer team fell to Florida Gulf Coast, 3-2, in the first match of the season for each team Sunday evening at University Park.

        FGCU jumped out to an early lead in the 8th minute on a goal by Katie Donnellan off of a long ball from Katherine Correllus. The Eagles added two more scores late in the first half on goals by Casey Lademann and Amanda Goble.

        FIU narrowly missed on two early scoring opportunities by Marina Pappas (Lancaster, Pa.) and Miriam Mercado (Davie, Fla.). Pappas’ shot sailed just high in the 9th minute while Mercado hit the crossbar from 20 yards out in the 25th minute.

        The Golden Panthers tallied their first goal in the 65th minute on a shot by Claudia Cardenas (Visalia, Calif.) off of a perfect through ball from Jessica Gambill (Jacksonville, Fla.). Pappas then brought FIU within one in the 90th minute on a goal off of a loose ball in the box but that would be as close as the Golden Panthers would come as FGCU walked away with the victory.

        FIU will be back in action on Sunday, September 31 as they host the University of Buffalo at 12:30 p.m. at University Park.